click above for more high-res teaser images of the Euro Honda Accord
Honda plans to unveil the new European-spec Accord at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, and a batch of teaser images previewing the vehicle have surfaced on the web today. They show the European Accord Tourer model, which is the station wagon version based on the Honda Accord Tourer Concept that was unveiled at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.
We like the few design details that we can make out from the teaser images. Note the sharp new shape of the headlights, the chrome door handles that look like medieval hand-to-hand combat weapons and the subtly flared fenders. Very nice. And it's a good thing we like what we see so far since the European Honda Accord is basically the same car as the Acura TSX sold in the U.S. Thus, what we see in Honda's booth at the Geneva Auto Show in a couple months is what we can expect in Acura dealers shortly thereafter. Except for the Accord Tourer model, that is. Interest in wagons in the U.S. is notoriously low and responsible for the demise of the wonderful Dodge Magnum and still-born Pontiac G8 Wagon, so don't expect a TSX Sportwagon anytime soon. The new European Accord will also be the first application of Honda's new 2.2L four-cylinder i-DTEC diesel engine that we saw at the Detroit Auto Show this year. It will also make its first U.S. appearance in the Acura TSX.
UPDATE: Teaser video of the new Euro-spec Honda Accord added after the jump.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ligor @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:04PM
no wagon
no sale (at least not to me)
Ligor @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:04PM
no wagon
no sale (at least not to me)
Aetius @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:09PM
There you go. Further proof that it's not car-companies who can't design cars. They simply give the 'bland-is-beautiful' markets in North America what they want. Europe on the other hand, appreciates design.
Dan A @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:38PM
I wouldn't say that. Most of these car companies will release the "designer" version under a higher end name such as Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, in America and gouge the customer more.
Chris @ Jan 23rd 2008 2:31PM
EXACTLY. I spent two years in the UK over the summer. We should be so lucky to have the cars they do. America is one big SUV wasteland.
Hamud @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:11PM
It has roof racks, so I guess it's a wagon.
Will wait the official photos...
psarhjinian @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:17PM
The old TSX/Accord came in a wagon (Touring) trim in Europe. We got the RDX instead.
sk @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:32PM
This wagon looks better than the SAAB 9-3 Sportcombi.
9600baud @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:39PM
Whats the big deal, looks like a mid-cycle refresh of the TSX (Accord Euro).
Thanks for nothing Honda. And yes, no wagon please. Although I'd be interested in the I4-T SH-AWD rumored...
Jason @ Jan 23rd 2008 3:17PM
Midcycle refresh happened in 2006, this is a redesign. Sorry hater, try again.
DJ @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:48PM
"Except for the Accord Tourer model, that is. Interest in wagons in the U.S. is notoriously low and responsible for the demise of the wonderful Dodge Magnum and still-born Pontiac G8 Wagon, so don't expect a TSX Sportwagon anytime soon."
Yet Audi, Subaru, BMW, Volvo and VW's small wagons sell very well in the US. The reason the Magnum and G8 wagons died was because they were RWD and powered by giant V8's. Give us a sporty, fuel efficient car like the Tourer and it will sell to those who see "Crossovers" as nothing more than gentrified SUV's.
500 @ Jan 23rd 2008 2:28PM
I was with you right up to this point: "The reason the Magnum and G8 wagons died was because they were RWD and powered by giant V8's." There are many of us who won't buy a vehicle UNLESS it comes with RWD/AWD and a giant V8. Hence the terribly misguided SUV boom because we can't get affordable cars fitting this criteria (thanks CAFE!). The Magnum died because of terrible and/or nonexistent marketing. Bring back the big American WAGON (not a pseudo-SUV) and I'll buy it!
blogged to death @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:11PM
The Magnum died b/c it got old and had pathetically cheap / junky interior. Plus it weighed as much as an SUV. Sedans/wagons should be lighter than SUVs to actually drive like they have a lower center of gravity and feel sportier. Adding power is simply one dimensional as the car will not brake, turn or corner any better (a lot of times worse as the engine/tranny are still up front).
Small nimble and light 5 door Hatches / wagons are still popular in smaller cars. It's when in the US wagons have to be barges and not purposeful sedans.
stefan @ Jan 23rd 2008 2:03PM
Japan gets the best accord line up, they get the wagon, sedan and 220BHP euro R. I would rather have a euro R TSX instead of the 23T.
John @ Jan 23rd 2008 3:00PM
Funny, looks like the current production TSX, major disappointment if this is what the "all new" 09 tsx is going to look like
Dave Roy @ Jan 23rd 2008 3:55PM
Funny thing about wagons and the "US" market ...
Given the option, 30-40% of cars Candians will buy are wagons - and most are Euro wagons because there is no other choice.
And given the choice of diesel, 40% of Canadians wil choose diesel (that was the experience with VW TDI's)
The funny thing part is that the Canadian auto market is about the same size as California yet there is zero consideration given to our needs on the part of the Detroit 3. Only the Japanese and Europeans will occasionally bring in Canada specific models. And no diesels yet our fuel prices are 30% higher than the US.
As far as Detroit is concerned, Canada is the invisible 51st state - only good for inflated prices - typically 20-30% higher than in US.
With this attitude, is it any wonder that Detroit is losing market share ? The Japs & Euro's may not be much better but at least their cars are fuel efficient.
One way or another, my next car is diesel.
archknight @ Jan 23rd 2008 4:07PM
I will be one of a few disappointed fans if this "refresh" is the all new '09 Acura TSX. When they announced the Sports4 would be a glimpse of the next generation Honda Accord I was excited, but now after seeing the Tourer concept and a production teases I will look elsewhere if it looks almost exactly like the last generation. That little trick may work elsewhere and they may even keep current customers but they will definitely lose any potential customers to the brand. My fingers are still crossed that they are actually going to truly separate the Acura and Honda brands, giving us something even closer to the Sports4 with the K23T SH-AWD setup.
FamilyGuy @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:26PM
More pics and a video can be seen over at VTEC.NET
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=735020
Zane @ Jan 23rd 2008 8:30PM
I wouldn't be surprised if the front end were similar to the current USDM Civic. The tail lights look exactly the same as on the current TSX.
mjtorr @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:36PM
I don't know whas going on with honda, they were always one step ahead and now they can't come out of the past. I agree that it looks nothing like a redesign but more of a refresh. It looks like a cross between a TSX and RDX, those taillights look like they came off an RDX. Two thumbs down.